A sea of blinking red lights will be seen snaking its way from London to the Suffolk coast as hundreds of cyclists pedal their way back to the region as part of what has become a cycling institution.

Scores of cyclists from Norfolk and north Suffolk will be heading to the capital tomorrow afternoon to take part in the Dunwich Dynamo.

The annual cycle event, which has been running for more than 20 years, will see them then cycle 120 miles through the night to Dunwich, just south of Southwold.

Considered to be a 'must-ride' event, the semi-unsupported ride gets bigger every year and attracts thousands of riders.

It is always held on the Saturday night/Sunday morning nearest to the full moon in July, starting at London Fields in Hackney between 8pm and 9pm with most riders arriving at Dunwich between 7am and 9am, ready for a quick swim in the sea or a pint in the village pub, The Ship Inn.

Among those taking part from Norfolk are friends Roly Cook, 43, from Old Catton; Simon Lomax, 49, who lives near Poringland; and Sean Quarmby, 46, of Drayton.

Mr Quarmby, who will be taking part for the third time, said: 'I go because it's the only ride I do that is not a race. It's just a fun ride where people chat to you as you go on your way. We just follow the light to the coast to watch the sun come up. That's the bit that makes me smile.'

Others taking part are Bart Anderton and Alastair Barrows.

Not content with riding 120 miles, teenager Alastair, from the Greenways estate, in Eaton, will notch up a total of 308 miles as he completes his own challenge in memory of his dad, Andrew, who died of pneumococcal meningitis on December 27, 2002, when Alastair was two years old.

He is raising funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation as well as raising awareness of the delayed MenB vaccine.

Are you cycling for a good cause? Email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk